snail

Snail in Sign Language

Learn how to sign snail – can you move like a snail?

1. There are two ways to sign snail. For the first one, start with one arm in front of you, palm down and fingers relaxed.
2. Take your other hand and creep it up your arm by opening and closing the pointer and thumb (the rest of the fingers are tucked into the palm). This is the snail slowly creeping along! Use this visual to help you remember this way to do the sign.
3. The second way to sign snail looks more like the creature itself. Start with one hand held at about chest height. The middle and pointer finger are pointing away from you and are bent slightly with the rest of the fingers folded into the palm.
4. Cover the first hand with your other hand – like the shell of a snail.
5. Move your hands forward, bending the extended fingers a up and down.
6. Done this way, the sign looks like a snail creeping along and moving his little antennae as he goes. Use this visual to help you remember the sign!

Teaching Tips:

A snail moves so slowly! Use our dictionary to learn how to sign slow. Then move around like a snail together. Sign snail and slow as you go!

Read the book “The Biggest House in the World” by Leo Lionni. What does the snail learn? Sign snail as you read together and learn a valuable lesson about being satisfied with what you have.

Transcript:
Snail! Show the snail slowly moving along your hand. Snail! Or show the snail and here’s his shell. Snail!